The underground library was eerily silent, save for the hurried rustling of Mark flipping through ancient manuscripts. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and the faint metallic tang of his unease.
His hands trembled slightly as he sifted through brittle pages filled with cryptic symbols and faded ink. Somewhere among these forgotten texts was the answer he needed—the key to unraveling the curse that had bound him for centuries.
But time was slipping through his fingers like grains of sand.
Tong stood a few steps away, watching Mark with a mix of curiosity and concern. He knew better than to interrupt, yet the tension radiating from Mark was palpable, almost suffocating.
"Mark," Tong finally said, his voice soft but steady. "What are you looking for?"
Mark froze, his crimson eyes locking onto Tong's. For a moment, his guarded expression softened, but only for a moment.
"Something I should have understood long ago," he replied, his voice low and edged with frustration. "Kael knows something—something I don't. And it's killing me to think he might be one step ahead."
Tong took a cautious step closer. "If you tell me what it is, maybe I can help."
Mark shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "This is beyond anything you should be involved in. I already hate myself for dragging you into this mess."
Tong's brow furrowed, his arms crossing defiantly. "You didn't drag me into anything. I stayed because I wanted to."
Mark stared at him, his chest tightening. The words meant more than Tong could know, but they also fueled his growing fear. Every second they lingered here, Kael was closing in, and Mark couldn't bear the thought of losing Tong to his enemy.
Mark's gaze dropped to the ornate dagger resting on the table beside the manuscripts. Its dark blade glinted faintly in the dim light, etched with runes that spoke of ancient power. Carefully, he wrapped it in a piece of cloth and tucked it away inside his coat.
Tong raised an eyebrow. "What's that for?"
"Insurance," Mark replied curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Without another word, he grabbed Tong's hand and led him toward the hidden passage that connected the library to the castle's outer grounds. His grip was firm, almost desperate, as if letting go would mean losing everything.
YOU ARE READING
MY GOLDEN BLOOD (END)
FanficI wrote this story as a bit of a vent for when I was feeling a bit down about My Golden Blood. I thought there might not be another novel I could read. Moreover, even if there is, it will be very disappointing because it must be written in Thai, so...
